B e s i n e s s
296
May 1928
T h e
K i n g ’ s
men, and from this great forest o f men some o f our friends rushed out to us and begged us to leave at once as evil was planned against us, so on we went to Hengshan. On arrival there we found all the inns and public buildings just filled with Communists. No one would take us in, no one would sell us food. We could not remain there. What should we do?” K ept By T he P ower of G od They did the only thing there was to do, •dropped everything and quietly waited on God for guidance. At the end o f their meeting for prayer and conference they decided, first, to send the bulk o f their baggage and band outfit back to some center, and then to scatter, each man taking a small bundle of necessary articles that could be easily carried; second, to plan to meet again at Hengshan after one week in the hope that conditions would be improved; and third, they determined that whatever might happen, by God’s grace they would keep at it until their work was done. They separated with hearts full o f cour age and hope, wonderfully conscious of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in glorious fulness. As planned, they met again in one week. Some o f them had gone through experiences that were most thrilling. In the meantime proclamations and soldiers had been sent out Strictly prohibiting attacks on either Christians or churches and they were able to continue their work in comparative peace and with continued blessing. Technically this is the story o f the experiences o f one Biola Evangelistic Band; practically it is the story o f the Church of Christ in China during the past year. Foreign missionaries have been driven out, to be sure, but the Church has been purified, cleansed by fiery flames of per secution. Devoted, loyal and wise leaders from among the Chinese pastors, evangelists and laymen have arisen to meet the great crisis; the work of the Gospel has gone for ward mightily; and it will continue to go forward until “ the knowledge of the glory of God shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea,” Clear Views Christian reader, beware o f being satisfied with “ clear views.” It is, no doubt, most needful to “ hold fast the form of sound words” ; but then a form o f sound words, without realized companionship with Christ, will leave the heart as cold as an icicle. W e must remember that in nature the clearest nights are often the coldest. Thus it is with professing Christians. A sound creed in the head, without Christ in the heart, is a poor, cold, dead, worthless, soul-deceiving thing. The true way of obtaining clear views o f the Gos pel is to look “ in the face of Jesus Christ.” The true way to attain knowledge of sound doctrine, is to feel, by the touch o f faith, the very pulsations of the heart of Jesus. “ Clear views” may leave the heart barren and void. We want to enjoy the companionship of One in whom we can fully confide. The heart needs to be refreshed by the dew of true sympathy. W e need to be sharpened by “ the countenance of man.” Where can we find all of these but in Jesus ? -.Every other heart blit His will dis appoint us at times.— From Armor o f Light.
The Wooden Cross B y J. I rving R eese
I saw a cross uplifted high, A wooden cross against the sky. Its background red and sunset gold— The colors of a day grown old. Upon a church the cross was placed, Upon a spire I saw it based; And with its outstretched wooden arm Seemed meant to soothe a world’s alarm. But as I viewed that wooden cross,— That symbol of the Savior’s loss,— I mused upon the church below, “ Was it a vain religious show ? “ Were they who worshiped there at heart Sharing with Christ a lowly part ?.:■ Did building only, lift the cross? And were its people filled with dross ?” ' Then as the day died in the west, I questioned, “ Would it not be best The Church upon the Cross to die Than that a cross be lifted high ? “ A Church thus slain upon the Cross And counting all for Christ but dross, Would calm indeed a world’s alarm And save souls from eternal harm.”
in the power of the Holy Spirit, enemies were saved, and then came a forced retirement. How like Paul’s journeys! A t Kan-Chi conditions got very tense, a n ' enormous mob gathered, ropes were prepared to bind the evangelists, and all arrangements made to destroy the chapel. Faithful friends brought them word o f all this and urged them to escape quickly. They write in their report :-A“ God was leading and He graciously prepared two small boats for us. W e got all our things on board and got away before the mob knew it. When they learned that we had gone they sent a party, after us to capture us, but on arriving at the next village, this party learned that we had already passed and so they turned back. W e passed Wu-Chi enroute and decided to go on shore to call on our recent converts. When we reached the street we saw mountains of men, oceans of
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